Thursday 10 March 2011

An Angel scatters Blooms

In Chorley Cemetery, an angel scatters blooms that she has collected in her garment. When I saw this, I thought someone had slipped a charity wristband on her. A closer look revealed that her hand must have broken off and someone had used a thick layer of gum to stick the hand back on. The memorial records:

In loving memory of Matilda, wife of James Ollerton, who died January 20, 1898 aged 45 years - Not Lost But Gone Before.





3 comments:

Owen said...

Looks like she lost part of a wing as well, which wasn't able to be gummed back into place. Do you really think it was gum ? Or some sort of all purpose glue ? Looks like her eyelids are sort of melting as well, drooping... One learns alot the closer one gets.

Margaret Pangert said...

"Not lost but gone before." I was puzzling over that inscription and came to the conclusion that Matilda died first and went to heaven where she will not be lost, just having to wait a bit for James. I love the imagery of her scattering blossoms and that her hand is back in place...

Laurie said...

Ah, Owen - I searched around for the words and gum came to mind - probably all-purpose adhesive? Handy, though!

Hi Margaret, that's a good conclusion. Her's was the only name on the memorial so she may still be waiting.

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